Premier division: ten key points to look out for this weekend

Walker faces Garnacho poised for another encounter

A Manchester reunion may be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker lines up against the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is adapting well with Chelsea following his off-season signing from Old Trafford and showcased his skills against Wolves before the fixture pause. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed electric speed with a ideal low cross. His contribution for Malo Gusto required shifting infield prior to chipping a ball to the back post. His joyous moment with Neto, replicating his earlier hug with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, served as a reminder of the pace with which things transform. The most recent instance Garnacho encountered Walker? During the youngster netted for United during their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.

Burnley against Chelsea, Saturday half past twelve (kick-offs GMT)

Antoine Semenyo crucial to ending Bournemouth's slide

Antoine Semenyo is attracting the entire rumour-mill treatment following a claimed £65m buyout clause for a prospective January departure, the media setting him up for advancement from the Premier League's mid-table ranks. This is predictable from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three helpers and is joyous to watch. Still, his team occupy an awkward situation, experiencing a role reversal: now it's the struggling side West Ham who arrive with successive wins, whereas Bournemouth are down 7-1 over two games over their previous two fixtures following an promising opening to the season. Semenyo had his effort saved on the penalty by Emi Martínez in the four-nil loss to Aston Villa but taking on a defence lacking a shutout since August could be the best solution.

Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3pm

The striker a left-field choice for the national team

It was notable to hear Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the international break although the Brighton forward reaches 35 in the coming days. “Without even knowing him, I am aware what he could give me,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] as a quite conventional centre-forward role.” Having won the most recent of his 42 international appearances back in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck may be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to maintain his goal-getting feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward boasts more goals compared to any English footballer in England's top division this season on six and remains anxious to add to that total as Brighton host Brentford this weekend.

Brighton against Brentford, Saturday 3:00 PM

Ryan Sessegnon required as assist provider and scorer

Sessegnon's story has brought a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who returned to his former side last year following five difficult years in north London, is now a consistent pick, pushing forward on the left flank in the absence of the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? With two goals, he is their top goalscorer this season as well as Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their leading man in the last term, has scored one goal whereas Rodrigo Muniz is injured for the long term due to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon is also having to step up as a creator in place of Robinson, who supplied ten setups last time round. Fulham's following four fixtures feature three of the leading five as well as Crystal Palace, who have allowed only nine strikes this season this season. Danger looms for a team that have developed a standing for consistency in the middle.

Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM

The moment for Isak to produce for the Merseyside club

The controversy surrounding Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike in the match with Manchester City could not hide Liverpool's shortcomings in that game as they succumbed to a seventh defeat in ten matches. Arne Slot's side require a consistent improvement to enter the championship chase from their current spot, plus a significant improvement in form, and opportunity emerges as seven from their following ten Premier League matches versus sides currently in the lower half in the standings. The risk is obvious posed by Nottingham Forest, the single club to inflict a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's showing against direct play and counterattacks that remains in focus. It is time for Alexander Isak to show up wearing red. The expensive signing has been absent in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury during his second appearance in the lineup in four days in the Champions League triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker came back off the bench during Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but sat out the subsequent inconsequential game versus Slovenia to ensure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A caution during the game might have suspended him. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient